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Have you ever heard of something called mass panic? An irrational wave of fear that suddenly grips entire groups of people? It might sound absurd – but it’s a real phenomenon. Psychology offers several fascinating examples. One of them: In the 1960s, a wave of fear spread through Southeast Asia. People became convinced that eating certain types of meat could cause parts of their bodies to shrink or disappear. The result? Widespread panic, and attempts to “protect” themselves – sometimes with dangerous consequences. As irrational as that fear may seem, it shows just how powerful the feeling of fear can be. And how misleading.
But fear, in itself, is not a bad thing. From an evolutionary perspective, it’s been a major survival advantage. It helped our ancestors avoid dangerous situations – like getting attacked by wild animals or poisoned by unfamiliar berries. And even today, we benefit from it. Fear warns us: pay attention, something might be wrong.
When is fear helpful – and when is it too much?
Fear has two sides. It can be life-saving – or it can be paralyzing. The difference often comes down to intensity. A brief moment of fear when a car swerves toward you? Very helpful. But constant worry that something bad might happen, even though there’s no real danger – that can seriously affect your daily life.
Psychology distinguishes between:
Fear: a direct reaction to a real, immediate threat (like a speeding car).
Anxiety: a more vague, often future-oriented feeling without a specific trigger (like constant worry about “what ifs”).
Both are normal. But if fear begins to take over your life, it may be part of an anxiety disorder.
Irrational fears – and why they still feel real
Many people experience unique fears that seem irrational to others. For example:
- The fear that a shark might come through a pool vent.
- The worry that something could crawl out of the toilet at night.
- Or even the fear of being watched by a duck (yes, there’s a word for that: anatidaephobia).
- There’s also sesquipedalophobia – the fear of long words. Ironic, isn’t it?
When fear takes over
Some fears go further. A generalized anxiety disorder is when people experience excessive worry for six months or more – even when there’s no real danger. It often comes with irritability, trouble sleeping, or physical symptoms.
Then there are panic attacks – sudden waves of fear without a clear trigger – and phobias, which are strong fears of specific objects or situations. For example, avoiding a basement just because there might be a spider isn’t just a quirk – it’s a limitation.
How fear can be manipulated
Fear can cloud our thinking – and some people take advantage of that. Political campaigns, for example, often use fear to influence how we think and act. Research shows that fear-based messaging can shift public opinion. When we feel threatened, we look for quick, simple answers – even if they’re not logical.
So how can we protect ourselves from that?
What helps when fear becomes overwhelming
There are several ways to deal with fear more effectively – and even use it to your advantage.
Reframing instead of avoiding
Reframing is a technique where you consciously change how you interpret a fear-triggering situation.
Take spiders, for example. They might seem scary, but they’re actually useful creatures with fascinating traits. By shifting your focus away from the fear and toward curiosity, the feeling may lose its grip.
Turning fear into excitement
Allison Wood Brooks from Harvard Business School conducted a study showing how relabeling anxiety can make a big difference.
Participants had to sing Don’t Stop Believin’ in front of others – a nerve-wracking task. Before performing, each had to say one of five statements out loud:
“I am anxious”
“I am calm”
“I am angry”
“I am sad”
“I am excited”
The people who said “I am excited” performed best – even though their stress levels were just as high.
Why? Because anxiety and excitement feel similar in the body (elevated heart rate, fast breathing). How we interpret that arousal changes the whole experience.
Building ambiguity tolerance
People who can tolerate uncertainty are less likely to fall for fear-based manipulation. Instead of jumping to the first available explanation, they allow themselves to sit with the unknown – and make better decisions as a result.
Seeing fear as a signal – not an enemy
Fear often points to something that needs attention. Instead of fighting or suppressing it, try pausing and asking:
What exactly am I afraid of?
Is this a real danger – or just a thought or scenario?
That’s the principle behind exposure therapy: gradually confronting what you fear, instead of avoiding it. For example, not stepping away from a spider immediately – but watching it for a few moments.
Final thought: Fear isn’t the enemy – but it’s not always right
Fear is deeply human. Without it, we likely wouldn’t have survived as a species. But when it controls us, limits us, or makes us vulnerable to manipulation, it becomes a problem. The key is to stay aware of when fear is protecting you – and when it’s just holding you back.
Stay curious – and courageous.
